Navigation apparatus



Aug. 16, 1949. w. E. RANDALL, JR 2,473,981

`NAVIGATON APPARATUS Filed Jan. 1s, 1945 2 vsheets-sheet 1 S S M T2 Aug. 16, 1949. w. E. RANDALL, JR 2,478,981

' NAVIGATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 lNvENToR Ma/0 577er so/z Haddad/eff.

ATTORNEYS i Patented ug. 16 1949 2,478,981 NAVIGATION APPARATUS Waldo Emerson Randall, Jr., Cranston, R. I.

Application January 18, 1945,` Serial No. 573,446

This invention relates to celestial navigation andmore particularly to an apparatus for identifying a celestial body and for determining therefrom the observers position on or above the earths surface.

According to a standardmethod of determining the position of a vessel at sea or in the air, the altitude and azimuth of a known celestial body are o-bserved, and the sidereal time of the prime meridian, as shown by the sidereal time chronometer of Vthe vessel, is noted. The navigator then, by dead reckoning, calculates the estimated altitude of the celestial body observed and, by a standard method (for example by the method of St. Hilaire) a line of position, or Sumner line, is determined. The ship is then known to be at some point on this line of position, and if a second line of position is established by means of a second observation made on a different celestial body, or a subsequent observation on the same celestial body, from a different position, as after the ship has travelled a certain distance from the point where the first observation was taken, lthe intersection of the two lines of position, after correction for the travel of the ship between the times of the two observations, indicates the position of the ship at the time of said second observation.

In order to establish a line of position, it is necessary iirst to identify the celestial body observed, and second, to calculate the estimated altitude of such body at the instant of observation, the estimated altitude being the altitude at which the body would have been observed if the ship had actually been at the position estimated by dead reckoning. Various devices have heretofore been employed to assist the identification of an observed celestial body. One of such .devices is furnished by the Hydrographic Office HO No. 2102-B known as the Rude starnder and identifier and comprises a projection or diagram of the sky and a plurality of projections of the local sphere, or earth, prepared for different latitudes, the latter projections being inscribed on transparent sheets. By selecting the terrestrial projection suitable `for the observers estimated latitude, and orienting it with respect to the celestial projection, it is possible to identify any observed celestial body which is inscribed on the celestial projection.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is adapted not only to enable the navigator to readily identify an observed celestial body, but also to read directly its estimated altitude.

6 Claims. (C1. 35-44) Another object is the provision of an apparatus of the type mentioned, in which the vnecessary manipulation of the stereographic projections is effected mechanically, the extent of such manipulating being simultaneously registered by means kof registering devices of the disc type, so that the possibility of error is substantially eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus whereby a nautical almanac or `other book need not be used but rather the apparatus is one by which data usually obtained may all be obtained from the apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide la devicev which is iiat and may be easily carried in a brief case or even with papers in the same manner that papers are handled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which may be easily handled and held in the hands and manipulated in the hands without any firm or rigid support.

Another object of this invention is to provide an instrument which lconsists of superimposed discs or plates such as thin sheets of Celluloid or the like.

With these and other objects in view,'the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on substantially line '2 2 of Fig. 1 and somewhat exaggerated as to thickness;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with the same exaggeration;

Fig. 4 is a rear plan view vshowing the stereographic projection of substantially 40 latitude superimposed upon the stereographic projection of the celestial sphere showing navigational stars.

In accordance with the method of the present invention a sterecgraphic projectior` of the celestial sphere and a. stereographic projection of the terrestrial sphere are superimposed, and are then adjusted relatively as a function `of the sidereal time'of the 'prime meridian and the estimated longitude of the navigators position, which enables identification of an observed heavenly body by means of coordinates inscribed on the terrestrial projection. At the same time the estimated altitude and the true azimuth of the observed body may be read from the apparatus. The position of bodies in the Icelestial sphere (referring particularly to those which are commonly used in navigating, and are hereinafter referred toas navigating stars) is usually defined by means of their horary coordinates, or right ascension and declination. The right ascension is the angle comprised between the semi-major circle lor celestial meridian passing through the rst point `of Aries and that on which the body or star is located. The declination of a star is the distance from the star to the celestial equator measured on the circle or declination, that is, the great circle which passes through `the star and through the "poles oi' the celestial sphere.

The present invention employs a plurality of stereograpnic projections of the eartn's suriace, made according to dinerent latitudes, such projections being taken on a plane parallel -to -tnat of the equator. liiach such projection will consist oi' a series oi arcs designating azimutns and a series oi' circles or arcs designating altitudes, sucn projections being tne same ior all points von a given latitude, regardless oi longitude. In accordance with the present invention, the projections of vthe celestial and terrestrialspneres are superposed and relatively rotated as aiunction 'or 'the' sidereal `time for vthe prime meridian and the Vestimated longitude oi -tne navigators position, the rotation being effected abouta point common to tliepi'ojections and corresponding to the axis ofthe poles. The extent of rotation corresponds to tne algebraic sum ol the `sidereal "time oi' 'the iirst meridian and the estimated longitude oi' the place or the local hour angle of the rirst point of Aries. This relative rotation of tiie two projections represents or compensates for the navigators displacement in longitude from the prime meridian and for the earths rotation in respect to the stars, or in other Words, the sidereal time Yof the prime meridian. With the two projections thus oriented relative toY each other, the local coordinates (altitude and azimuth) of an observed body can be directly read from the terrestrial projection. Conversely, if an unknown star has been observed at a given altitude, and in a given azimuth Iat a particular `moment of time, by orienting the two projections in the manner indicated, the observed body can be easily identified by 'means of 'the coordinates inscribed on the terrestrial projection.

The terrestrial projection for any given latitude is divided into two portions representing'respectively, that portion of the local hemisphere above the equator and that vportion falling bevlow the equator. The local hemisphere is dened, for present purposes, as that portion of lthe earths surface lying on the observers side of a great circle lying in a plane parallel 'to that o'f Athe observers horizon, in other words, the local hemisphere maybe defined as Vthat heinisphere of which the observer is the pole.

VIn carrying forward these relationships, I 'utilize the two plates of the Rude star identifier and set these up for mechanical orientation in accordance with the determination of the local l'hour angle of the rst point oi'Aries, which I -calculate by a plurality of discsgraduated for cooperation one with another.

With reference to the drawing I provide three 'superposed transparent plates held in fixed rela- -tion and spaced apart. The base plate I is of 'generally rectangular shape and has mounted upon it an intermediate plate lI xed at its four corners to the plate I0 by bolts I2 extending through spacing elements I3 at each ofthe four corners. .A top plate I4 is spaced from the .plate v'M lby means of. an-arm I5 which is vsupported through spacing element I`6 and `I`I (see F193) "hand side of Fig. 1.

Y38 along the edge of this disc.

from the plate Il. A bushing I8 held in position by the bolt I9 and nut 2li is provided with a plurality of shoulders and forms a further support for the plate I4 from the plate IU. By reason of one oi' its shoulders engaging the plate I4 and another of its shoulders engaging the plate I. This bushing also provides a pivotal axle about which discs which are located between these fixed plates Vare rotatably mounted.

A'disc 2-Iv is pivotally mounted Aon the bushing I8 between the plate Il] and II while a pair of -discs 22 and 23 are pivotally mounted on the .portedlindependently of and slightly spaced from theldisc `22Lso that relative rotating movement Vofthe two may-be had without one causing turning of the other through friction.

` A pair of L-shaped `members 26 (see Fig. 4) are supported beneath the base plate I0 to slid- ;ably 'mount -a plate member 27 while a disc 28 'is pivotally mounted upon 'the head 2Q of Vthe axle `I9 between-the yplate :lllY and the -plate 2"I.

The above-said series of plates and discs with the proper markings thereon aflord a means for determining the local vhour angle of the first point -oi Aries at any particular time of any particular day.

On the uppermost plate I4 I have provided ,a series of markings 3i] which divide the plate Ill `into different months corresponding to the calendar year. The lines -38 indicate the rst vday of the month and are spaced in accordance with the number of days in 'the month. The .disc which is 'just beneath'the plate 14 -and is designated 23' has a set of markings thereon designated S which in Fig. 1 is viewed through the transparent plate i4 corresponding to the days of the month so that this disc maybe set against any particular month according to the day of the month. lThis disc also has on it graduations designated 3-2 at its outer edge dividing the disc Vinto three v'hundred and sixty degrees. The Asecond disc A22l which is just below the disc 23 'has "designations 33 thereon corresponding to the 'hours 'in the day and is divided into `twenty-four 'parts `for Athe twenty-four hours `and subdivided further if found desirable. The fixed vplate Ill at a point adjacent the peripheral edge of "the disc 22 has gra'duations 34 thereon corresponding tolongitudes starting from the prime meridian sf'designated zero and running through 180 from west longitude Von the right-hand side 'of Fig. 1 and i180 for 'east longitude on the left- The `time zone may also be indicatedupon this scale as shown at 36. .As an added convenience the angle in hours corresponding Ato 'the longitude may be also carried out from this ,plate I I as shown 4at 31.

On vthe disc 2l between the plates lll and ll a longitude scale -is provided through '180 as .at rlhis longitudinal scal'eis provided in two arcs running in opposite directions, the outer 'one Vbeing for'west longitude and lthe inner one for east longitude. YThey each extend through a half circle. The datum line 39"is .provided on the Viixed base plate for cooperartion with this disc'2'l,

Disc 28 Vhas about its periphery graduations in degrees through 360 as indicated .on one side as at "40 and on the other side as at El (see `ligsA and l). .The graduations *on lvboth sides lagree so thatrzero on one side willbe directly beneath the zero on the 'other side of the dis'c. 'On'orieside of the disc there will also be positioned 'as at 42 the stereographic projection of the navigational stars in the Northern Hemisphere while on the other side of the disc there -will be the stereographic projection of the stars in the Southern Hemisphere (not shown). The disc is reversible by removing the bolt I9 and turning over this disc.

The plate 21 has upon it stereographic projections 44 which will be as provided in the Rude star identifier ior different latitudes and a series of these plates will be supplied with 'the apparatus and the plate chosen which has the projection upon it closest to the latitude of the observer and this plate will be used. This plate is slidable in the channel provided at 45 and may be removed by removing the locking members 46 which are heid beneath the bolt 4l so that the plates may be interchanged. A datum line 48 (see Fig. 4) is provided on the members 26 and a series of lines 49 provided on the plate so that the same may be adjusted relative to the datum line 48 for Varying degrees of latitudes on either side of the latitude for which the projection has been drawn so as to compensate for slightly different latitudes.

In operation the graduation 3| which represents the days of the month are Set beneath the datum line of the month in which the observation is taken. Thus, for instance as shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus is set for an observation on December 8. The date, or" course, is the Greenwich civil date which is used. lThe next setting will be that of disc 2'2 and in this case the zero line 59 will be set against the longitude on the scale 34, which in this case is shown as 101 degrees. With the instrument so set it is now possible to read opposite the hour of the time the observation is made in degrees the Greenwich hour angle of the ilrst point of Aries. Thus, assuming this to be at six fifty oclock in the morning, G650, the Greenwich hour angle as shown in the setting would be approximately 78 degrees.

In order to obtain the local hour angle of the ist point of Aries it will be necessary to combine the Greenwich hour angle of the iirst point of Aries and the longitude of the observer which is accomplished by setting the longitude scale 38 so that the longitude of the observer will be at the datum line 39 and then with the zero line 5l as a new starting point the disc 28 is set opposite the zero line 5l corresponding to the degrees of the rst point of Aries at the time of observation which in the assumption is 78 degrees. In this Way the algebraic sum of the Greenwich hour angle of the irst point of Aries and the longitude are combined so as to give the local hour angle and the proper setting to the disc 28 which has the stars thereon in their proper position relative to the pole. By this arrangement this disc 28 is oriented to its proper position relative to the stereographic projection of the earths surface for the latitude of the observer as is provided by the Rude star identifier above indicated. Then by sliding the plate 21 to its proper position relative to the datum line 48 the azimuth and altitude' 0f any of the stars on the projection plate 28 may be read ofi for identification or for :pre-setting a sextant,

I claim:

1. A navigation apparatus comprising a member having a stereographic projection of the celestial hemisphere inscribed thereon, a second member having a stereographic projection of the local hemisphere inscribed thereon including a. system of altitude and azimuth coordinates, said members being superposed, one being transparent and said members being relativeiy rotatable about a point common to said projections, and means including a plurality of relatively movable members pivoted about said common point, said members having graduations in terms of time, hour angle, and longitude for determining the position oi' the relative rotation or' said projection members in accordance With a predetermined location oi a celestial position which is taken from trie first point or' Aries.

2. .A navigation apparatus comprising a member having a stereograpnic projection oi the celestial hemisphere inscribed thereon, a second member having a stereographic projection or the local hemisphere inscribed thereon including a system of altitude and azimuth coordinates, said members being superposed, one being transparent and said members being relatively rotatable about a point common to said projections, and means including nxed and movable discs pivoted about said common point, said discs having graduations in terms of time, hour angle, and longitude for graphically calculating the local hour angle of the first point of Aries or setting the relative rotatable position of said projection members.

3. A navigation apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises at least i'our superposed disks some of which are relatively movable.

4. A navigation apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises three Xed members and three members rotatable relative to said member and relative to each other.

5. A navigation apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises at least four superposed members some of which are relatively movable, some of said members being movable to provide the sidereal time.

6. A navigation apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises at least four superposed members some of which are relatively movable, some of said members being movable to provide the sidereal time and others of said members serving as a means to combine said sidereal time and the longitude to provide the local hour angle of the rst point of Aries.

WALDO EMERSON RANDALL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 496,993 Bristol May 9, 1893 1,401,446 Rude Dec. 27, 1921 1,873,595 Johnson Aug. 23, 1932 2,219,378 Booth Oct. 29, 1940 2,337,545 Collins Dec. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 539,297 Germany 1931 

